Weather or Not, We Ski

Twelve inches of snow a couple weeks ago, then a week of temperatures in the teens with an additional inch or so each day.  Follow that with rain and you have difficult conditions cross country skiing.  But we did that Thursday trying out our new skis.  Those  poor conditions gave way to above-freezing temperatures through today when 30 mph winds with gusts to 50 mph kept us watching the sky for falling tree limbs and branches and the melting snow.

O and ___

Almost any NFL fan will be able to tell that 16 goes in the ___.

The Matt Millen era is complete.  He singlehandedly took a respected franchise and drove it into the ground while collecting his $5 million  yearly salary.  And William Clay Ford let him do it!   Hired someone with absolutely NO experience running any organization.  "We've been pretty much stuck on dead center for quite a few years,"  WCF said when he hired MM after a 9-7 season in which the team missed the playoffs on a late field goal in Chicago in the season finale.  " Matt offers us an opportunity to move ahead."    In that time the Lions won 31 and lost an incredible 97 games.  Dead center is 8-8 and the Lions have come close to that only in 2007 when they went 7-9 (after a 6-2 start).  They are averaging fewer than 4 wins per Millen season and they would need to double that to be "dead center."  My guess is five years before they get above 8-8 again.

When he arrived Millen took verbal shots at Lions fans saying they did not understand the game of football.   Dare I say it?  Let's take three of his draft picks (there are others).  Joey Harrington--seems like a great person, but not an NFL starting quarterback.  Charles Rogers--reports of his physical fragility held no sway and he was injured and drug-prone.  Mike Williams--sat out a season fighting NFL draft rules(he could have continued playing for USC) and never got himself in football shape.

Too bad the NFL does not have two leagues so that those who are at the bottom of the top league are relegated to the lower league and the best of the lower get promoted to the top league as they do in English soccer.  Let the Lions work their  way back to the top league if they can.  That might mean a smaller share of TV revenue, less national exposure, etc.  A real penalty for poor performance.

This year the Lions home games were blacked out for the last five games.  Maybe next year viewers can vote to have road games blacked out also.

'etroit Lions

That's right--no D, no defense, Sunday against Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints who shredded the Lions for touchdowns on six consecutive possessions.  Not only was this game a terrible defensive performance, so is the entire season.  And remember, the defensive coordinator is Marinelli's son-in-law.  Lions fans were rather docile, saving their energy for the few good plays the Lions made.  Even Saints fans gave up cheering because it became too easy--no real competition.  We talked with some Saints fans and they empathize with us; they remember when their team was called the Aints.  Next Sunday the Lions can seal the deal by losing to the Packers in Green Bay.

The rest of the weekend was wonderful.  Saturday afternoon we visited Pewabic Pottery Museum and Store in Detroit.  Kathy and my second visit, Brenda's first.  Some items were the same, but for the most part the pottery was different.  Brenda thought it might be fun to see where it's made.  No tours of the "shop" but just a peek into the working areas just off the store.  Fortunately Kathy found a piece she liked this trip whereas last time she could not (or maybe there were just too many then).

Checked in at hotel and got ready for dinner and concert at Orchestra Hall--the holiday concert of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Pops Series.  Great holiday music with some pieces we had not heard before--certainly not what one thinks of as traditional Christmas music.  Afterward a drive down Woodward to see the lights and the Christmas tree at Campus Martius Park with skaters on the nearby ice rink on our way back to the hotel.

It was so cold and windy that we decided Sunday morning after breakfast at the hotel to move the car from the hotel to our regular spot a couple blocks north of the stadium to cut our exposure to the elements cutting our walk from 20 minutes to 5.  Normally we would leave the car, walk to Ford Field, then return to pick up the car after the game. Kathy and Brenda found it painful to have skin exposed.  We've had only a few games where the elements have been that severe--thankful Ford Field is enclosed!

Sunday Choices

I decided to go to an Oakland University men's basketball game with Ken and Jim instead of watching the Lions Sunday.  OU beat Rochester College quite handily and Blake Cushingberry from Romeo did quite well for the Golden Grizzlies.

A hush and some muttering came over the crowd when the announcer told us the Lions were tied with Indianapolis early in the fourth quarter.  When I got home Kathy told me the outcome, another loss keeping their streak alive at 14 losses without a win.  I watched most of the game that we had taped and the Lions looked OK.  Then their defense went to work and permitted two late scores.

I am looking forward to Sunday when the Lions play New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees, the quarterback who has thrown for over 4300 yards so far this season.  He'll have a chance to add significantly to that total--unless they are so far ahead they decide to run the ball.

Brenda Impressive at Ford Field

Brenda was chosen for a chance to win a Ford truck.

We walked into the stadium shortly after the gates opened and a man walked up to Brenda and asked her if she would be interested in trying to win the truck.  All she had to do  is throw a football through a target about 24 inches in diameter from a distance of 17 yards(we have seen this during halftimes of games).  (To convince me it is somewhat probable show a video of a Lions quarterback doing it.  Or some other quarterback even.)

"Sure, what do I have to lose."  She then answered Mark's qualifying questions, signed the release forms, etc.  One restriction is she could not have played collegiately or professionally, or coached football, baseball, softball within the last 5 years.  Other questions made it evident they want a lay person participating.

We watched the first quarter from our regular seats, then met Mark at the beginning of the second quarter.  He got us field passes and escorted us down to the field where we stood in the end zone to watch the second quarter.  Exciting except play was at the opposite end of the field from us including two Lions fourth-and-ones and no first down, a Lions interception and fumble recovery.

At the end of the half players from both teams walked by us up the tunnel looking  impressively fit, large, and serious.  They looked the same when they passed us going the other way in the tunnel after halftime.  But I digress.

During halftime the truck with the target was driven onto the field and Brenda was taken to her position.  Her name was announced and her picture shown on the big screen.  She was ready -- pumped up!  She took the ball, her arm went back, she strode forward, and let it fly.  The throw was in line with the target but did not travel far enough and wound up short.  (Lions fans understand that--they've seen it all year!)  We've seen attempts all season and hers was as good as any, better than most.  She commented that the ball was hard as a rock and heavier than she thought it would be.    

Quite a thrill for all of us.  A different view of the game.  We saw parts of the stadium we had not seen before and it's impressive.  And all the staff were very nice to us--warm, funny, but also professional.

Oh, yeah.  The Lions lost again preserving their perfect record.  They seemed to have a chance against the Vikings, but gave up a late score, got closer with a field goal, but could not stop Minnesota from running out the clock, giving up several first downs on third-and-long.  

Keeping Perspective

Ted Kennedy got an honorary doctorate from Harvard recently for his decades of public service.

No doubt public service is important.  And I respect those who perform it.  And lets also recognize those outside federal, state, and local politics.  Those volunteering to coach, officiate, administer sports for young people.  Attendees at local governmental meetings.  People watching school board meetings on a local access cable channel.  Supporters of charities with their time, money, and fund-raising walks and activities.

Politicians pale in comparison to T. C. Pits (the common person in the street) when it comes to public service.  Politicians have benefits from their service--money, prestige, power, influence, notoriety, and even graft.  Many in politics have substantial personal wealth and should find it easy to perform without a need to work to support a family.  Most would find it difficult to quit a job and uproot their family to go into politics.

Let's not make a big deal out of something that may not be.

Signs The Christmas Season Is Here

Unquestionable evidence is the commercials we saw yesterday for

THE CLAPPER

CHIA (gourmet herbs this year).

I can now relax and know all is well.  

I am ready to see How The Grinch Stole Christmas from all the Whos in Whoville and A Charlie Brown Christmas and his wonderful Christmas tree.

White Christmas

Now that Thanksgiving is over I can post about our visit to the Fox Theatre a week ago Thursday to see White Christmas.  Based on the movie of the same name (Bing Crosby, I believe, was a lead) it's a feel-good musical where boy-meets-girl, boy-loses-girl, boy-wins-girl-back; in addition the two male leads help an old army commander fill his New England inn at Christmastime to avoid "going under".  (Timely, huh?  No government bailout here, just people helping people.  This show would probably not play well in DC.)

Great music with songs I did not realize were from this show and fine dancing along with good acting made this an enjoyable performance.

We went with Don and Marietta and Brian and Carolyn (their kids) after dinner at Moose Preserve.

Detroit Going For The Record--Again

We've seen some bad teams around here.

 

Currently the Detroit Lions are headed to the first 0-16 season in NFL history (1976 Buccaneers were 0-14).  They are currently 0-11 with 5 games remaining.   And they have not been competitive in those games.  IMHO their ineptitude on offense, defense, and special teams along with a favorable schedule make their chance of a winless season better than even  (change my  under-over for wins to ZERO).

Other Detroit teams were bad but not thoroughly inept.  Detroit Pistons had 16 wins and 66 losses in 1979-1980 season.  During the 1990s they were 20-62 in 1993-94.

Detroit Tigers flirted with the major league record but only established an American League record of 119 losses in 2003 missing the major league record by one loss.  (Their team yearly loss record was 109 in 1996, but their 1952 season was their second worst winning percentage 0.325 on 50 wins and 104 losses.) 

In 1985-86 the Red Wings won 17, lost 57, and tied 6, a franchise worst season.

Here are some other "worst" teams.

For consecutive losing seasons Detroit teams can hold their head high. 

The Detroit Lions will complete their 8th consecutive losing season this year and can extend that streak next year.  In six more years they can match the Buccaneers who had 14 straight losing seasons from 1983-1996.

Detroit Tigers had 12 consecutive losing seasons  (1994-2005).   Only the Brewers, Athletics, Phillies, and Pirates had longer streaks.

Pistons, who moved from Fort Wayne to Detroit in 1957,  had 14 consecutive losing seasons (1956-70),  Only Sacramento Kings had one longer.

Red Wings had 14 consecutive losing seasons (1973-87).  The Canucks had a longer one.

We will be there Thursday to see the 10-1 Titans (who we hoped would be 11-0 but lost to the Jets Sunday) deep fry the Lions for Thanksgiving.

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch, Ouch

Michigan got pasted by Ohio State -- again.  This group of Wolverines makes it five straight losses, a first in the series.

Michigan State got blasted by Penn State.  The only two really good teams in the Big Ten are OSU and PSU.  The big two and little nine looks somewhat different this year.

Indiana got ripped by Purdue.  Both had weak teams but the Boilers stuck it to them. 

And number 2 Texas Tech had a whuppin' put on 'em by number 5 Oklahoma.  Not sure how the Sooners lost to Texas earlier in the season but that may keep Oklahoma out of the national championship game.

Is Fall Over in the Mitten?

It it's getting close to wintertime.  Snow fell yesterday morning and this morning, and both days the snow stayed with us.

And the weather reports now include "lake effect snow" (especially the south shores of the Great Lakes.

Now that we've had our first snow we might as well have snow until the spring thaw.

Schools for Scandal

School administrators and counselors changing students' grades without teachers' knowledge is one thing.  Falsifying social security numbers is another.

One the one hand the practice of changing grades is IMHO unethical.  If there is a case to be made for a grade change then the argument should be made to the teacher and let them have the final decision (or convene a tribunal that can hear cases under certain circumstances and make a final decision).

But submitting false SSNs to make one's life easier?  Reprehensible.

The Season Finale

We closed Emerald Lake house for the season.  Went up yesterday (Wednesday) and made a stop in Birch Run to shop the outlet for coats and boots for Kathy.  Surprisingly I did not go into the Bose outlet even though we passed it at least twice and also Kathy did not find what she was looking for.

Forty degrees in the house when we got there so started fireplace, electric heat, and propane heat.  Eventually temperature got up to sixty-eight before we went to bed.  We decided to put off the real work until Thursday.  

This morning Kathy cleaned leaves off the roof and gathered items we wanted to take back to Romeo.  I winterized the Ranger and John Deere lawn tractor.  After a brunch break we finished by pumping antifreeze into our water lines, then packed the truck and returned to Romeo.

We always feel a bit sad on our way out the driveway because we will not be back up until spring.

New QBs Not The Answer

The Lions used two quarterbacks, Dante Culpepper, who was signed earlier in the week, and his backup Drew Henson.  Neither had the kind of day that would keep the Lions from losing their ninth of the season without a victory.  They started the 0-12 in 2001 but as I recall they looked much better and seemed to be somewhat competitive--not so this version.

The defense was shredded for five consecutive touchdown drives by the Jaguars.  Don't remember that happening before.  And the Jaguar defense could have kept the Lions to ten points except for a face mask penalty on the Lions first touchdown drive that gave them first-and-goal instead of fourth-and-goal.

Another non-sellout so television blacked out locally.  The crowd is getting quieter by the game.  And leaving earlier.  You would think if anyone would understand customer apathy the Fords would.

Worse yet, the Romeo Bulldogs lost to Lake Orion in the high school football playoffs Friday night.  Too cold and damp for us to attend, however I picked up a live internet broadcast of the game and could hear enough bits and pieces of the description--the quality reminded me of early radio and television fading in and out. 

On a higher note, both Michigan State and Michigan won on Saturday with MSU at 9-2 and heading to Happy Valley in two weeks for a showdown with Penn State with the winner sharing the Big Ten title (assuming PSU beats IU and OSU wins at Illinois and at home against Michigan).

GO GREEN!  GO WHITE!

All Childish Things

was the name of the play we saw Thursday afternoon at Boarshead theatre in Lansing.

  

Set in Cincinnati, this comedy follows three childhood friends and one provoking girlfriend (played by Molly Thomas, daughter of Kathy's colleague) as they try to commit the crime of the century...robbing the warehouses of Kenner Toys where the mother load of "Star Wars" figures can be found.

Dave, computer programmer and avid "Star Wars" fan, plans the heist from his mother's basement (where he still resides) with the help of Max, Carter and Kendra. When things go awry, friendships are tested and each faces the most important decision of his life. Not even light sabers or Jedi knights can save the day for these "Star Wars" geeks.

There really are men so interested in Star Wars--we could tell from some of the laughter at lines we did not understand--and I can imagine they also introduce a new generation to it.

In addition to the play we toured the Michigan Capitol, our first visit there in many years.  Because of 9/11 visitors cannot use the main entrance through the massive wooden doors up the grand staircase (we tried it and the doors were locked) but instead at ground level never intended for visitors.  It is still an impressive site with the dome 160 feet above the rotunda and house and senate chambers in the wings.  Sound like the U.S. Capitol?  It should and so should many other state capitols after the Civil War because their architects took their inspiration from it.

We followed our self-guided tour with lunch at Clara's, an old railroad station that still has trains passing alongside on their tracks converted to a restaurant.

In this beautiful sunny fall weather we were able to park the car at the theatre and walk to our destinations--we had hoped for more shopping in the downtown Lansing area but our walk along those streets took us past mostly restaurants leaving us time for the capitol tour.

Preserving Perfect Seasons

Brenda left Nashville late this morning and arrived here in time to see the second half of the Lions game with us--she should have juggled her schedule to take in the Titans game this afternoon against Green Bay.  

Both of her teams kept their streaks alive today.  The Lions go to 0-8 with their loss to the Bears (at least they had a lead for part of the game) while the Titans are 8-0 after beating the Packers in overtime.

She gets to see both of her teams Thanksgiving Day at Ford Field.

(If rumors are true, the Lions will sign Dante Culpepper--that should take care of the problems on offense! LOL.)  

High School Football Saturday

Saturday afternoon the sun shone bright and the temperature was a bit above 50 degrees (we know that because bumble bees were flying about and below they generally do not) and the wind blowing 15 mph.  We had our in-car tailgate, eating sandwiches and fruit before the game.  True tailgating does not happen much at high school games.  

Romeo hosted Clarkston in the first round of the playoffs ranked number 10 in the state division 1 by some newspapers.  Clarkston players or coaches--not sure which--said they were looking forward to meeting Lake Orion in two weeks.  Lake Orion played this weekend and the winner of their game plays the winner of Romeo's.  They don't have to worry.  Romeo played well and took a 31-0 lead at the half to the amazement of all.  Clarkston had a 6-3 record (Romeo was 7-2) and was reportedly one  of the strongest in Oakland County.  On offense Romeo did what they wanted--Clarkston could not stop them.  And Romeo's defense did the same against a Clarkston explosive offense averaging about 40 points per game.  In the second half Romeo scored late in the third quarter and Clarkston scored in the fourth, their only score of the day, to make the final Romeo 38-Clarkston 7.

Lake Orion did win their playoff game and some of their players were in attendance to see who they will play next weekend.  The Bulldogs will travel to LO and try to keep their season going.  Right now the weather for next weekend is iffy and that will determine whether we go.

GO DAWGS.

Meadow Brook Theatre

Our Thursday production was  Murder by Poe which recounts several of his stories.  Included are "The Tell-Tale Heart", "The Black Cat", and Poe's omniscient detective C. Auguste Dupin displaying his solution to "The Murders in the Rue Morgue."

Excellent production.  Had I more Poe knowledge I would have enjoyed it even more.

A Gem of a Play

Eight of us went to the Gem Theatre (Don & Marietta, Bill & Patti, Carol & her brother Curt, us) Wednesday.  Had dinner there at the Century Grill--food was great though the service was not. 

In Say Goodnight, Gracie George Burns recounts his life from his early days in a small tenement in New York City through his final days when he had to cancel a performance in Las Vagas on his 100th birthday due to illness.  His early days in Vaudeville. meeting and becoming great friends with Jack Benny, marrying Gracie Allen, rising in popularity radio and television, having children, Gracie's early retirement, losing Gracie and later Jack, and his final days.  This was a fine one-man performance that used pictures and video and sound recordings to add authenticity and emphasis.

Washington Plays (with) the Lions

It was the first game this season the Lions have scored in the first quarter.  They scored 10 points early and held an early lead, then the offense played the next two quarters like they have the first two quarters of previous games.  Of course the Redskins consistently put together drives and took a two touchdown lead in the fourth quarter.  

Although the Lions made it interesting late, there is little question they were thoroughly outplayed.  By seeing the game in person (it was blacked out locally for the first time since Ford Field opened) it was obvious which team was better.  One observation:  the Washington receivers have speed that only one Lion receiver has--that makes it difficult on the Lions defense and difficult on the Lions offense.  In addition Washington had an effective running game (Clinton Portis) whereas the Lions did not.  The game statistics will show which team dominated this game.

Weather was beautiful--very cool and cloudy in the morning and sunny and cool after the game.    

On a side note, I've been following former Lions coaches.  Jim Zorn has Washington 6-2, in Buffalo Dick Jauron has them 5-2 and reportedly is getting a 3-year extension.  And former Lions quarterbacks, though not players who will take you to the top, are still doing pretty well--Jeff Garcia at Tampa Bay is 5-3 and Gus Frerotte with the Vikings, though 3-4, has three more wins than the Lions.  So it's not just the first-to-be-blamed coaches and quarterbacks.

Pain of Painting

We went to Emerald Lake last Tuesday morning.  The goal was to paint the bathroom and deliver Thanksgiving day Lions tickets to Shane--he and some friends will join us for the game and dinner afterward.  We did not get much done Tuesday afternoon and evening except for heating up the house.  Fifty-five degrees in the early afternoon so fired up the propane heater and the word burning stove.  Split and hauled some wood.   By late night we had the temperature comfortable but there were still some cold spots.  Not until the next morning did the temperature even out throughout.  All the while Canadian Geese came and went and kept up honking, even as we slept.

Wednesday Kathy began priming the walls and ceiling.  It turned out to be a one-person job since the size and shape of the bathroom prohibited another ladder or person to be in helping.  In addition ladders could not be placed conveniently and so Kathy was contorting her body to reach remote places that needed painting.  Fortunately she could break for the afternoon and went into town to get her hair cut.  In the meantime I finished some routine maintenance on the Ranger and John Deere.  When we finally close for the season I still have to put them in winter storage.  Canadian Geese were still around--not sure if they were different from Tuesday's.

Kathy finished priming on Thursday while I did some writing, kept the wood burner going, split wood, and helped move and hold ladders for fear of falling.  But by nightfall she had the bathroom primed.  Angie stopped by with her kids for a visit.  Preston is growing like a weed, Logan and Kamber played with the toys and read books, and we talked with Angie.  Geese are still honking.

Friday Kathy spent all day putting on the finish coat--skill, stamina, success!  She was tired and sore when she made her last brush stroke.  That leaves us with just the workshop.  Still geese honking.

  

Saturday morning we put everything back into the bathroom, cleaned the wood burner, dusted and vacuumed, packed and closed up to return to Romeo--don't want to miss the Lions on Sunday.  Seems geese have left, but now the caw of black crows.

Houston, There's a Problem

You almost blew it against the Lions.  

I missed most of the first quarter of the Lions-Houston game.  Working outside.  Should have stayed outside.  Another loss makes the Lions 0-6 this season--they've lost 13 of their last 14.  And you thought Wall Street was in bad shape.

Who took the Lions defense in their fantasy draft?

The Lions made the game somewhat interesting, but they are far from being a competitive team.  I admit it--they fooled me with their 4-0 preseason.  They make opposing players who are not all-pro look like they are.  They make weak teams look like they are headed to the Super Bowl.  In some of their previous losing years they could at least "make a game of it" -- they cannot even do that  now.  

Firing Millen will help, if they find a quality replacement.  Trading Roy Williams for draft picks may pay off, but not for a while.  And remember, drafting talent has not been a strength of the Lions organization.  Replacing coach Marinelli will happen, but no one could have won with the current talent.

Looking forward to watching the opponents.  Jim Zorn and the Washington Redskins come to Ford Field next Sunday.

Weekend Warrior

Kathy and Brenda went on a Longaberger baskets trip to Dresden, Ohio with Jan and Patti.  They left by bus Friday morning (had to meet the bus at 5 am) and are returning tonight (Saturday) about 11 pm.  Kathy and Brenda went before and had a great time--I am sure this trip will be great also.

That left me to fend for myself.  So I sandwiched errands around our usual Friday breakfast.  That evening I went to Sterling Heights to see Romeo play Stevenson in football.  It may have been my first time back to Stevenson football since retirement.  Saw some staff that I worked with including Tracy Bigelow who joined the science department about seven years before I retired.  Kathy was Tracy's kindergarten teacher and she knew her parents who worked for Troy Schools.

I left in the fourth quarter with Stevenson ahead by 19.  At the time it seemed they had control of the game and I was getting a little cold.  As it turned out Romeo came back to go ahead late in the fourth quarter only to have Stevenson score a touchdown with 6 seconds left to hand the Bulldogs their second straight defeat after opening the season with six straight wins.

Stopped for coffee on my way to Oakland University for their version of Midnight Madness.  They gave away Golden Grizzlies caps to the first so many in attendance.  University staff were introduced who threw tee shirts into the crowd.  Teams of three with one being a student had a three-point shooting contest for gift certificates. A tumbling team from the Pistons along with their mascot dunked after launching themselves from trampolines.  Sports teams were introduced.  An athletic supporter donated $5k to the Grizz Gang, the student section.  Individual basketball players were introduced, alternating between men's and women's teams, then the coaches and their staffs.  The teams took the floor with the women's team putting on a 3-point shooting exhibition and the men's team showing off their dunking skills.  My main reason for going was to see Blake Cushingberry, freshman from Romeo. 

Saturday I got some chores checked off my list.  Friday I noticed some damage to an insert in the front bumper of the Cadillac and upon inspection realized it was from the raccoon I hit returning from the lake last week.  The parts were easy to reconnect by lining up a slot with a tab and pushing them together.  A crack in some plastic underneath is not noticeable.  Thought at first the damage was greater than what it turned out to be.  In addition I watched some of three blowout football games--first Purdue, then Michigan State, and finally Michigan.  Not a good day for my teams.

Kathy and Brenda must have had a good time because it's nearly midnight and I hear them laughing as they bring their shopping bags up the walk.  It's showtime!

A Celebration Weekend

Indian Summer continues in the mitten. And this weekend was special. Great color north of Saginaw on our drive up to the lake on Saturday. Stopped briefly at Birch Run to pick up a couple things. That evening was Oyster Supper, a celebration of Katie (McLachlan) Thompson's birthday by her decedents--this time 99 attended. (She was widowed by her two previous husbands Emmet Morse and John Carpenter before marrying Archie Thompson.) Katie's birthday was October 11, 1883 and the celebration is always held around her birth date.

Here is how I remember the progression through the generations: Katie Thompson, Letha (Morse) Corey, Anna Mae (Corey) Brigham, Kathy (Brigham) Reagan, James Reagan, Spencer and Garrett Reagan.

Then Sunday we celebrated Aunt Mabelle Preston's 100th birthday. (A little early--December 19, 1908--but she left for Florida yesterday with Uncle Maurice and Aunt Pauline with Rosie driving and will be there on her birthday.) Afterward we took a ride to see the fall colors. We made a loop up to Cadillac and back. An awesome display. Some pictures around the lake.

As we drove in.

From across the lake.

And from the house.

Monday Kathy painted three tedious ceilings, both prime and finish coats, that put her in contortionist positions. It looks great! Left early enough for home to have enough light to see some color between the lake and Mount Pleasant.

Indian Summer...

is always special in Michigan. The calm before the storm. The last of shirtsleeve weather. Final days of mowing. Cold nights and warm days. Should we turn the heat on to take the chill off in the morning? Leaves beginning to change colors.

After a week and a half away the yard needed mowing. And we did that. Also cleaned up twigs and branches and picked up pine cones brought down by the early-week winds.

Then in the afternoon we went geocaching at Wolcott Mill Metropark. Trails were drying after the rains. Leaves changing. Two other cars in the parking lot. Found five of six caches and dropped the three travel bugs we picked up in Snoqualmie last Sunday.

And lots of ash trees cut down, dead from the Emerald Ash Borer introduced into southeast Michigan from Asia around 2002. In addition there will be more to cut--we saw several stands of dead ash on our walk. Now other trees will have room to flourish but that will take years to see.

All in all, a great day.

Snoqualmie Ridge

Arrived to beautiful weather last Tuesday (it lasted two days followed by 6.5 days of rain).  Amy and Garrett picked us up from airport and we stopped for lunch at Rainforest Cafe, one of Garrett's favorites, and some shopping.  Part of our visit was to help with the boys so Amy could attend a MOPS convention in Texas and James could work. 

Wednesday Amy gave us a preview of the boys' day and we met Michelle who would take Garrett to preschool Thursday. Tai kwon do for Spencer rounded out the day.

Amy was off to Texas by 5 am Thursday. We took Spencer to school and Garrett was picked up for preschool.  That gave me and Kathy time for our coffee at Starbucks and then out to find geocaches--success on two of three.  Then back to meet Garrett after preschool.  Played until we went to pick up Spencer, back for homework and off to soccer.

Only a half day Friday for Spencer and none for Garrett.  James met us after noon and we played with the boys for a while before swimming lessons for both.  They have improved so much since Lake Chelan last summer.  We shopped for baking supplies for Saturday (Kathy's birthday).  The boys picked out their favorite cake mix (FunFetti), frosting (Rainbow Chip--has extra sprinkles), and two numeral candles (if I publish the numerals, I will no longer be able to blog).  Then got ready-to-bake pizza for dinner--fabulous--some of the best pizza I have ever had.  

Saturday was early tae kwon do  for Spencer.  Came back and the boys mixed the batter for Grandma Reagan's birthday cupcakes.  "How old is she, Garrett?".  After thinking a bit the three-year-old answered, "Old enough."  Off to Seattle Center for the LEGO BrickCon convention.  Several thousand LEGO enthusiasts built displays of LEGO cities, Star Wars scenes, artificial intelligence robots, military machines, airplanes, and cartoon renderings to name some.  Though LEGOs are younger than I or Kathy (50 years this past January) the three younger boys have grown up with them and were enthralled by the creations.  Afterward we walked the Center (28 acres of grounds and buildings), grabbed a couple geocaches, and let the boys and Kathy play at the fountain which has intermittent eruptions allowing the adventuresome  (Spencer and Kathy) to run down the embankment and touch the fountain before getting sprayed by the next eruption.  Garrett was kept from making his great circle of the fountain walking on the barrier because when he reached a certain point the strong winds blew the spray on him.  When we got home the boys finished frosting and decorating the cupcakes, put on and lighted the candles, sang Happy Birthday, and let grandma blow them out.  Spencer and Garrett both picked out the ones they piled high with frosting and extra sprinkles--we think they planned that all along.

Sunday we went for breakfast to North Bend at George's Bakery which has big doughnuts the size of a dinner plate and we shared one.  Afterward we went geocaching and found a few around the area, some that were new for James.  Played in the neighborhood park and after Amy returned from her convention trip we went to dinner for barbecue.

Monday it was back to schools and soccer in the rain.  But Tuesday the weather broke in the afternoon and gave winds good enough for fall kite flying, one each for Spencer and Garrett, in the park along with bike riding.  We took Spencer to tae kwon do while Amy fixed dinner. 

Later James took us to the airport for our red eye flight home.  The weather in Detroit Wednesday morning?  What else?  Rain.  

Lions

As I said a couple weeks ago,  things could get worse against the Bears at home.  And they did.

What do you do now, Ford Senior?  If your plan parallels yours for your motor car company, we can expect only downward movement for the Lions from here, if that is possible.

Change my under-over for Lions wins to two, though I do not know which two.

We Get Too Late Smart

Millen is gone but his legacy will be felt for many years to come.  His drafts are ridiculed by all, including the talking heads on the NFL shows and drafts are the geneses of a quality team.  His choices of head coaches would be laughable if  they weren't so tragic.  He might have thought, though there is little evidence that he did think, that weak head coaches would make him look stronger.  In fact, really high quality, confident, and smart executives surround themselves with and direct people who are smarter and more capable than they are.

Ford will not be forgotten nor forgiven for putting fans through nearly a decade of less than mediocre professional football.  Some would argue they are lucky it was not longer.  If not for Barry Sanders--remember, Green Bay had second pick and took Tony Mandrich before Lions third pick of Barry--the Lions could have done in the 90s what they did in the 00s.  And nearly did anyway.

Another revision for my under-over Lions wins this season:  three

Emerald Lake

We finished painting the ceilings of dining/hallway and entryway/hallway Tuesday.  Tedious work with all the brush work along the stone and woodwork--not an easy task.  My rolling paint on took about one-fifth the time for Kathy to do her brushing.  We now have the bath, closets and pantry, and workshop to do.

Afterward we went to Marion for dinner at Little Italy restaurant--the same owner as used to be in Evart (she sold the Evart restaurant a couple years ago).  Great food, as always.  Walked along Middle Branch River afterward to let the food settle.  When we returned to the house we finished vacuuming and putting everything back in its place.

On our way home Wednesday we heard of Millen's firing.  Could not get the details because the Expedition radio intermittently and randomly stops output to speakers.  We smiled all the way home!!!

Lions

Oh, boy.  Things are bad.  Down 21-3.  Dismal.

Worked on other projects during game.  Makes more sense.  If they perform like that in two weeks against the Bears, look out.

Another Lions ...You Know

And poor execution by John Kitna on a couple crucial plays. I've said it before and will probably have to say it again. He's just a step below what's needed to be an effective NFL quarterback.

The Lions sure know how to clear a stadium. After going ahead in their game against the Packers, they gave up a field goal and three follow-up touchdowns bringing back late in the fourth quarter the stench of the first half.

Highlights were few. Calvin Johnson's catch-and-run touchdown receptions were two.

Having the kids from Up North join us was exciting. All eight of us piled into the Expedition and drove down to the Renaissance Center where we parked. We had a great breakfast at Sweet Lorraine's on Jefferson, then walked up Brush Street to Ford Field. Logan sat with us for the first quarter, then Brenda took him over to Angie and Jesse seated kitty-corner from us. After the game we all met outside the stadium and walked through a pouring rain from Hurricane Ike, a warm rain so we did not use all the cheap plastic ponchos we took. We drove home through very heavy rains which finally let up some between Utica and Romeo. After a short rest stop at our house Cushmans and Helmers took off for home. We had a great time with them.

Next up are the 49ers which I thought would be a great chance for a win. Now I'm not so sure.

This IS A Great Country

You can ignore mandatory evacuation orders.
You can get yourself trapped in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
You can call 911 for someone to rescue you.
Someone will rescue you and place themselves at risk.

And to those who chose to stay and called to be rescued, if you do not do something for your rescuers, shame on you.

And The Rains Just Kept Coming

Over the last couple days we have had constant rain, very hard many times. Must have had between 4 and 8 inches total over that time. Widespread flooding is expected and from what we see in our pond--spring levels of water--we are not surprised.

It has let up this morning and we are hoping for Seattle-type rain for the day rather than the deluges we have been getting. At least we are under a dome this afternoon for the Lions game versus Green Bay. A Lions win will not surprise me, but I am picking GB. Don't tell Kathy.

Big Ten Teams Go Small

To get thrashed by Notre Dame this year is embarrassing. Maybe UM should have returned Rodriguez to WVU when the buyout of his contract with them became an issue. If it does not turn around next year, they will have to buy out his current contract and get someone else.

Purdue lost in double OT when they should have put away an Oregon team that seemed to want to be somewhere else for half the game.

Buckeye fans--SOS for your beloved scarlet and grey. But don't be too upset. Looks like Southern Cal is loaded for another national championship.

On the Avon River Again

Jim, Sandy, and we went to Stratford, Ontario for two days of theater. We left Wednesday morning and returned Thursday evening.

Wednesday afternoon we had lunch at Bentley's, our traditional gourmet grilled cheese sandwich. Then saw the premier production of Palmer Park. Palmer Woods is a residential area in Detroit (it's called Palmer Park in the play) with large, elegant homes. Some are English Tudor, others colonial, and a few Frank Lloyd Wright. Rather expensive. Homes to the wealthy before there was Birmingham. In 1968, after the Detroit riots of the previous year, a young white family moves into one of the homes because white flight after the riots has depressed the housing costs. They become friends with black family neighbors. The story tells of how they try to keep the neighborhood and school stable amid pressures otherwise and their relationships with neighbors over the next five years.

I was afraid, after the story line, that we would be preached at about race relations in Detroit, but that was not the case. Great acting made this a memorable performance. Our first time at the Studio Theatre, newer and smaller than the others with three-sided seating around the stage.

A light dinner followed that evening by The Music Man at the Avon Theatre. Jim and Sandy saw it earlier in the season and enjoyed it so much they wanted to see it again. I would also see it again.

Thursday we killed the morning reading and walking about a shopping mall, then had a light lunch at Fellini's. The afternoon performance was Cabaret which Kathy and I had seen in Detroit but was new to Jim and Sandy. Afterward we drove back to the States and chatted about the three great performances we had seen.

Now to plan next year's trip.

The Millen Dynasty Continues

I might have to modify my under-over for Detroit Lions wins this season.  Originally I thought 8 wins.  But after their play yesterday against a weak Atlanta Falcons team I now think 5 or 6.

Missed tackles followed by more missed tackles and then a missed tackle...you get the picture.  And poor execution by John Kitna on a couple crucial plays.  Kelvin Pritchett, former Lions defensive lineman, says by this level players should know how to tackle.  And Ron Rice, former Lions defensive back, thinks they just do not have enough talent to compete.  Who am I to argue with those analyses?

We will have fun next Sunday when Green Bay comes in and Jesse, Angie, Logan, Lee, and Carrie come down to join us for the game.  That will be fun.  Go Lions.

At the Lake

Spent a few days at Emerald Lake.  A very long and hard rain born of Hurricane Gustav as it finally petered out north of Lake Superior greated us Thursday night.  We estimate somewhere between 2 and 4 inches of rain overnight.

Friday was overcast with some rain so we did some more painting.  Surprising how long it takes for Kathy to "cuts in" along edges that are seldom at right angles, are along stone walls, and abut wood paneling and window frames.  We got the primer on room and a hall; finish coat goes on next trip.

Weather Saturday was terrific.  Sunny and cool.  Today Kathy got her hair done in town by Ellen while I mowed using the tractor and hand mower and picked apples from the trees in front.  

We'll get more trips in later this month.

A Trip to Chelsea

to the Purple Rose Theatre for the Jeff Daniels play Panhandle Slim and the Oklahoma Kid.  The play is popular enough to be extended through the end of the month.  Daniels says he worked on this play for at least ten years and has rewritten it at least seven times.  Well, this rewrite was a success.   Slim is shot, hogtied, and left to die in the desert where the Kid comes upon him.  The Kid is a singing cowboy with a wit, something Slim lacks.  Slim is willing to have the Kid "shoot me!" but the Kid refuses and leaves him hogtied.  They have lengthy discussions about their lives, the good and the bad.  They finally come to grips with each other and we learn of the connection between the two.  And then they ride off into the sunset.

Fine acting includes one of our favorites Tom Whalen playing Panhandle Slim.  Tom is hogtied the entire performance.  How he does it for an hour and a half is amazing--and he does it performance after performance.  

Dinner after the play at the Common Grill.  Good food and a good play.  All in all a fun day.

Emerald Lake

We went up Thursday and returned Monday.  

Fished with Lee and Carlee.  We soon dropped Carlee off since she was more interested in seeing Kathy than us.  Caught a few but not enough to keep for dinner.  I always enjoy learning about fishing from others.

Cut up some of a large tree down in the woods.  Seems we had more down this summer than usual and that will keep us busy on our next visit.  Will split the logs and use them for heat when it turns cold.  In addition, we finally got Curt back out to finish fixing the space heater--new burner and blower switch--to use in colder weather also.

Painted ceiling in bedroom, dusted walls, and washed windows.  A long process but everything looks great.  We still have more areas to paint.

Went to Lee and Carrie's for Carlee's birthday part.  Great fish fry--must be a fine lake that produces such good fish.  Maybe next trip I will catch enough for us to have a fish fry.

Another memorable visit to the lake.

C-note

It finally happened.  $100 for one visit to a gas station.  I could have spent more but the pump limited me to $100.  Even with my credit card.  Granted, I filled the Expedition and put an additional 7 gallons in cans.  And the price per gallon was below $4.00 per gallon.  Happy days are here again!

Lions First Exhibition

Interesting game.  Some good spots--Kitna to Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams among others.  

And some bad.  Reports are they want to emphasize the running game.  They may be emphasizing it, but they are not successful with it.  Another personnel issue.  Running backs and blocking linemen are needed.  And if they cannot run the ball, the passing game will be adversely affected.  Another result of Millen's drafts.

But it's only preseason.

GO LIONS

Stick a Fork in Them

The Tigers are in a most disappointing season.  Millions paid to bring high quality players to a team that performed well over the last two seasons.  Granted, those two might have been aberrations.  But the off-season signings were to make this team a power.  Only Miguel Cabrera seems to be living up to his pay grade.

The pitching has also been much of the problem, in part due to Dontrel Willis's inability to throw the ball over the plate (his motion is being reworked in Lakeland).  Injuries, age, fatigue.  And pitching is the major part of what the Tigers gave up off season--good, young pitchers.  Granted most were untested, but those who threw well in the "bigs".  And some young positions players were also dealt with disappointing performances by their replacements. 

All that said, we are going to a Tigers' game tomorrow and will have a great time.  We still love to see major league baseball.  GO TIGERS.

Randy Pausch

... has given his last lecture.  He died July 25.

Thank you Randy for sharing your thoughts about childhood dreams.  

Klotz Lake Fishing Camp 2008

On Friday, July 25, Ken, Jim, and I car pooled with Al and Paul from Almont to our first night's stay in Wawa, Ontario.  About 10 hours to cover the 45o or so miles (750 km, eh?)

Saturday morning we drove the remaining four hours to Klotz Lake and unpacked for the week.  

As it turned out, the weather that day foretold the weather for the week--rainy and cool.  I tolerated some rain and drizzle but retreated indoors when it got heavy.  Likewise with the black flies--veterans of this camp say they have never seen it worse.  Ken and Paul got peppered with bites early and often.  I learned my lesson my first time out without repellent and thereafter covered exposed areas with it.  My mama didn't raise no dummies!

On my first excursion on the lake, with Ken and Jim, I landed my biggest walleye of the week, about 20".  Then on my last trip out, with Hank and his son Nick (who taught me the card game Kings to the Corner), I caught my biggest Great Northern Pike at 30" (a personal best).  All in all, I did much better catching this year than last, getting fish in the boat each day.   The knowledge everyone is sharing with me seems to be paying off.

Scott and Hope, friends of Ken, joined us Monday as did Hope's mother's boyfriend, Roger on Thursday.  Good people to be around and good at fishing.  Hope landed the biggest walleye at 28" (she comes up for the break from the kids, fishes little, reads voraciously) which bothered Scott more than somewhat.  To keep his mind off it we had him deep fry our three fish dinners!  Fabulous.  Not to mention Roger's maple syrup for pancake breakfasts.

We finished another fun trip with a straight-through drive getting home around midnight.  Now to get my laundry done.

Cent bourne

Found our 100th cache yesterday.

It was hot and humid for a couple days and difficult to do physical work outside. (Among other jobs, we have 12 yards of red-dyed mulch that needs to be spread.) So yesterday afternoon Kathy put together a picnic lunch for a caching trip for the three of us (she and Brenda had a shopping trip earlier in the day--too hot to work, remember).

A drizzle began to fall and the temperatures fell somewhat so not too bad outside. On our way. The ninety-ninth was a micro off 30 Mile Road, and we could not find another near our McD. Let's eat We went to a little park off 33 Mile Road, had our picnic under a shelter, then found the hundredth in a nearby tree. To celebrate we had Skinny Cow brand ice cream treats.

Traveling the Great Northwest

On Wednesday we took the Amtrak train from Seattle, where the train station is being renovated, to Vancouver which has a fine train station adjoining a bus station.  No problem with immigration and customs in Canada (on the train we saw cars lined up at the border checkpoint).  Not far from the Vancouver station is their Skytrain light rail system that took us to downtown.  It's interesting that there are no turnstiles.  Buy your ticket from a machine and board the train.  Notices are posted that you must have a fare receipt and I suppose some people cheat, but they must figure the savings in personnel and construction must outweigh losses in revenue.  The train is underground in downtown and we exited our station to walk about four blocks to our hotel

Our room overlooked the harbor and we could see float planes take off, land, and taxi to their marina below us--they are used to taxi people about the region and for sightseeing tours.  And a cruise ship got underway while we watched, backing out of its slip, then heading off toward Alaska.  Fascinating.

We walked along the sea walk, past the float planes, and eventually reached a marina with some very large boats.  One in particular caught our attention and another visitor with his two daughters told us he worked for the owner who is a self-made billionaire and had been on the boat once for a meeting.  He said it is nicer inside than what it looks outside.  One hundred fifty feet, at least.  Some of the other boats we saw are for sale and prices ranged from about a half million to  about one and a half million--but that's Canadian dollars I am reminded.  Later we grabbed a quick snack and went to an IMAX movie.  Next day we walked to the Gastown section of the city, saw the famous steam clock toot noon, then toured a classic Chinese garden in Chinatown before our return train trip to Seattle.

Thr following morning we walked to Qwest Field to buy tickets for the Tigers-Mariners baseball game, had lunch, then entered the stadium in time to see the Tigers take batting practice.  We became some of those folks we notice standing in the first row watching their favorite players and snapping pictures.  A couple rows in front of our seats were a couple and their two boys who were Tiger fans.  We found out the dad was back from Iraq about a month after a 15 month tour.  We had a great time though the Tigers lost.

Saturday we picked up Brenda from the airport and, on our way to James' house, we visited the Museum of Flight.  Planes from all eras of flight, an old factory restored, and some space flight memorabilia.  The highlight was a walk aboard a Concorde and an Air Force One.

The next day we left for Lake Chelan located east of the Cascade Mountains just west of the Columbia River.  We drove a northern route on US 2 through Stevens Pass (we returned to Snoqualmie Ridge via I-90 through Snoqualmie Pass) pausing to walk a trail to a waterfall and stretch our legs in Leavenworth; some compare it to Frankenmuth but there are important differences like not having its main street through the center of town.  On to Wapato Point Resort and our condo for the week.  Amenities include outdoor pools, a great view, beaches, and many water recreations such as jet skis.

The lake is 55 miles long and we took the Lady of the Lake boat trip from Chelan on the southeast end to Stehekin, a town of about 80 with only water access, on the northwest.  Great scenery, relaxing ride.  When the boat arrived we took a narrated tour (aboard a school bus) to the 312 foot Rainbow Falls.  We left the tour bus on its way back to Stehekin to eat lunch at Stehekin Bakery Company.  After lunch we purchased some goodies to take back to our condo and walked the two miles back to the boat landing where we visited the shops and National Park center.  On returning to Chelan we had dinner and then to the condo.

Another day we rented a boat and  toured some of the lake and had a mid-lake picnic--very comfortable for nine of us.  A little chop in the water kept us from wandering too far toward Stehekin.

We swam, hiked, played Wii games, and played with the boys.  James grilled and we ate out.  The ladies took the boys into town to see the movie Wall-E and eat popcorn and drink soda pop. We found geocaches along the Columbia River on a day trip north from Chelan to see some of the small towns there, and on our way back to the Ridge.

Joey joined us for a couple days--drove over from Spokane the day after one of his bicycle races.  We talked, went to the local coffee shop (this is a resort, not camping), played with the boys.  We were all glad to see him.

On our way back to Snoqualmie Ridge we saw forest fires still burning along the Columbia and the black remnants were visible for miles along our route--something we do not see in Romeo. Then close to Snoqualmie Pass James gave us coordinates to his cache and we found it in a park where we walked past rapids and a waterfall.

Spent Sunday night at James' and the following morning with Amy and the boys (she took her folks and Brenda to the airport earlier in the morning) and walked to get our coffee and rolls at the local Starbucks. Kathy and I left for our flight home.

A great trip.  A week with the whole family--fantastic.

Good Tiger Ballgame

Sunday the Tigers beat the Colorado Rockies with a good pitching performance by Kenny Rogers and the relievers along with some timely hitting by the youngsters Detroit has moved up to the "big club".  They have played very well but have not closed in on first place Chicago in the last week.  They also have to catch the Twins who are the hottest team in baseball recently.  They may have restored the roar but still have some work to do.  We will see how they play against the Minnesota Twins the first part of this week and then in Seattle (where we hope to see a game later in the week).

Brenda, Kathy and I were joined by 20 or so of Kathy's relatives who are also related to Clint Hurdle, the Rockies' manager who is from Big Rapids.  Kathy and Clint have the same aunt and uncle--Aunt Shirley on Kathy's side and Uncle Bob on Clint's.   They got to see Clint before the game, then cheered on the Tigers.  Weather was cool (high 60s) and overcast with a hard shower that did not interrupt the game and some sprinkles (called rain in Seattle).

A fun time at the ball yard.

Tony Hillerman

I have come to enjoy Tony Hillerman's mystery novels set in the southwestern United States.   Most characters are Navajo, including Sergeant Jim Chee and Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn.  They are with the Navajo Tribal Police that has jurisdiction in lands of the Navajo Nation located in the four corners region--Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado.  Hillerman includes descriptions of Indian customs, beliefs, and rituals.

I found Skeleton Man very interesting since it takes place in and around the Grand Canyon which Kathy and I visited in May.   I recognized many of the towns and descriptions of the region.  The good guys, though they get shot at and get hurt, still overcome the deeds of evil people.

Have the Tigers Restored Their Roar?

April? Tigers won 13, lost 14.

May?  Won 10, lost 17.

The season began with such great hope and expectations.  The Tigers had added several high quality players in the off season:  Miguel Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Dontrelle Willis, and Jacques Jones (released after 24 games).  They were thought to have a batting lineup to match any team's lineup, but they were taken apart by opposing pitchers until recently.  

The disappointment continued until a recent Tiger home stand.  They split four games with Cleveland, then swept both the division leading Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.  Today they completed a three-game series at San Francisco by winning two of three (and could have won the first game had Fernando Rodney, recently reactivated from injury, been able to hold a lead--he gave up five runs in the eighth inning that led to a Tiger loss).

The Tigers have cut Chicago's division lead from 11 to 6.5 in just nine games.  Talk has now returned to the optimism motivated by the off season signings.  They may have turned the season around.  We shall see.

Go Get 'Em Tigers.

We're Havin' a Heatwave

Hot and muggy yesterday as we cut half a crabapple tree and burned it. Don't know when the rest will be done because it will be hotter today and just as humid.

Kathy just finished mowing--front and back. A little hot, humid, and dusty.

Tomorrow and the following days are predicted to be nearly as bad. And it's not summer yet!

At Least I Got the Wings Series Right

Wings in 6, I said. Could have easily been over in five since the Red Wings dominated play against the Penguins moreso than scores indicate.



Game 5 was a classic. The Wings controlled play for the third period and for two and a half overtimes. Then a questionable call--made questionable by lack of other, more obvious, more deserving calls throughout the third period and overtimes. And then Pittsburgh scores to make the series 3-2.



Last night game 6 showed hockey at its best. End-to-end action, great passing, individual efforts, great saves, speed, puck handling. Sustained non-stop action that no other sport approaches. And an "almost" at the end--a cliff hanger. (Though a review would have shown Hossa's last second shot, had it gone in, would have been too late.)



I heard one of the Red Wings interviewed today on Mitch Albom's show and he commented that Mike Babcock demands excellence and expects players to perform within his system. He lets players play when they are performing well and why they are scratched.



Seventeen years of success, since 1991-92. Even with the salary cap.



GO WINGS

Our National Parks Tour 2

Wild Horses Couldn't Stop Me

But they did. On Mesa Verde. Kathy and I were returning from an evening walk after dinner. We noticed a pack of wild horses grazing just to the right of the walkway--the Indians who own them willingly allow them to roam so they can feed on the grassy mesas. The leader saw us, moved over to the walkway, all the time watching us, and then was joined by the others. Seemed territorial--and much bigger, stronger, and faster than we are.  We backed down the walkway, then walked on the roadway to the left passing them as they continued to graze.  We could then watch the setting sun as we made our way beyond the horses to our room.

Impressive Geological Sites
Spires in Monument Valley--some can be seen in old John Wayne movies. Those are full size cars--not toys--on the trail!

Geysers, hot springs, paint pots (mud pots), and fumaroles in Yellowstone. Bison (background) love the warmer region--surrounding the geyser basin was snowcover to a depth of about 4 feet.

Man-Made Wonders

The cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde NP were occupied from about 1200 to 1300 AD.  And visited by us in 2008!  

Kathy is coming out of one of their kivas.

Glen Canyon Dam generates 1500 megawatts of power for the region.

Majestic Beauty

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Tetons

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Red butte at Monument Valley

Windows and hoodoos at Bryce Canyon

Wildlife

Bison at Yellowstone

California Condor at Grand Canyon

Mule deer off our balcony in Mesa Verde

Where next?

Our National Parks Tour 1

It's A Small World.
We landed in Albequerque and were greeted by our tour director, had lunch with Cordelia from San Francisco, and met up with the rest of the group later. Nancy came up to me and, seeing we were from Michigan, asked where in Michigan and I told her. She said her husband was from a small town in Michigan, EVART! And so Ron and Kathy got aquainted with each other and though they did not know each other, they had many intermediate connections.

When Rain Turns White
We walked parts to two rim trails. One was at the Grand Canyon and the other was at Bryce Canyon. Both walks were between 2.5 and 3 miles along paths wide enough for two people to pass with no guardrails and the cliffs beside us. Each step gave us new stunning views of the scenes below--the grandeur of the Grand canyon and the pink-colored hoodoos of Bryce. On both walks we encountered beautiful but brief snowstorms dusting our trails.

Rubbing Elbows
Santa Fe is now the number two city in art sales in the US, but we were more interested in standing at the end of the Santa Fe Trail marker in a corner of the Plaza.

Park City (Sundance Film Festival) might be the trendiest city in Utah. We liked the Utah Olympic Park outside town where training and competition take place in ski jumping, ski aerials, bobsled, luge, and skeleton.


Jackson, Wyoming has a Christie's real estate office--isn't that a "tell" for pricey real estate? At street corners without traffic signals, take the red flag to show you want to cross the road, walk with it to the other side, and place it in the rack for another pedestrian to use. To top it off, Dick Cheney's helicopter flew over our hotel to signal us he was on his way to Jackson Hole Airport to board Air Force Two.

Things Were Looking Up

We crossed this thousand-foot bridge built across Glen Canyon to supply the construction of the dam.  

Inside the dam an electric generator was being replaced.  A 10-foot step ladder can be seen before the uninstalled turbine.

From the floor of Zion Canyon, along the Virgin River, we found a geological formation named Alter and Pulpit--the river makes Zion NP a green oasis in the high desert of southwest Utah.

Unusual Dinner Location.



In Salt Lake City, after we toured Temple Square and saw the Tabernacle,




we went to Lion House, one of Brigham Young's homes, where the church has a cafeteria-style restaurant called the Pantry.  Good food, historic locale.

Wings-Pens

Why are team nicknames shortened? Pens and Avs come to mind. Must be a sports writer thing.

Wings have done well in the playoffs and the Penguins have some talented youth (not that Detroit does not)

Wings in six.

Pistons-Celtics

We are glad the Pistons beat the Celtics last night to even the series at 1-1. But from the way the announcers talked, they are not as happy--I think they are pulling for the well-publicized and often-stated Celtics-Lakers final. They don't even hide it well any more in their interviews and comments.

Now they return home where Pistons are doing well.

Pistons in six.

Salt Lake City

Had dinner at a restaurant in Lion House, which was one of Brigham Young's houses. I'm sure the cafeteria style service is different from when he had to feed his wives and children!!!

Walked the grounds of Temple Square, visited the Tabernacle with its great organ. Demonstration of the acoustics showed how ripping paper and dropping pins and a nail could be heard without amplification throughout the entire building.

Don't They Get It?

The Detroit Lions are offering half-season ticket packages for the first time I can remember. Five games in each of two packages. Lower, upper, and club levels. Must be they are not selling all their season tickets! Can't imagine why. They have a veteran quarterback, great draft choices, no one left from last year's losing season, and Matt Millen at the helm. Wink, wink.

The talking heads of sports radio around here have been encouraging fans to give up their seats if they are not satisfied--looks like that is happening. The Lions will spin the shrink in sales to the weak--OK, horrible--economic conditions in metro Detroit. IMHO that cannot be the whole reason since the 55,000 season ticket holders are, for the most part, financially able to afford them. Perhaps the outrageous jump in ticket prices (ours from $70 to $90) for such a weak product contributes as well.

Also heard on the radio yesterday that a season ticket holder emailed the Lions with a complaint about his club level seats. The email was sent up the line and a response sent back down with an inadvertent copy to the customer. In essence the corporate response was, "F*** him--we'll take care of it next year!" Believable? Yes.

And yet the fans here will still support them. Go figure.

How Suite It Was

Brenda took me to the Tiger baseball game Saturday versus the New York Yankees.

Her company hosted workers and their guests. Had a great time though the good guys lost. Bonderman got in trouble early again and could not last through the fifth. 5-2 loss goes in the books.

Met interesting people, many transplants to Michigan. We had a suite down the left field foul line past the foul pole. Great sunny weather but we were under the overhang in the shade. With a loud speaker overhead!

These were great seats to see how much ground Curtis Granderson covers in center field. Yankees hit a couple that he had to chase down on the fly and one that he caught on the bounce off the center field wall to hold the batter to a double--great view.

Too bad the Tigers have invested so much money and have so little to show for it at this time.


Thank you, Brenda.

The Last Lecture

Randy Pauch has made his mark. He is the computer science professor from Carnegie Mellon, a father and a husband, who has pancreatic cancer. His last lecture is watched frequently on the Internet and has sparked many interviews. This book gives his viewpoints on life and the end of life. I won't attempt to summarize here -- that would be a disservice to how good the book is written.

Much of what he says he does--which he attributes to his success as a student, teacher, husband, and father--most people I know do also and they are likewise successful. I found his reflections validate my thinking.

The book is a short and easy read. And I recommend you do read it.

He's That Good

A couple years ago Kathy, Brenda and I were in Evart for the Osceola County Fair and stopped to watch a gospel singing group called the Sears Trio. They have been together for a long time and Kathy remembers her dad speaking highly of them. We had heard them several times before and enjoy very much their singing. On this occasion there was also another group entertaining, the New Reformation Jazz Band. A young twenty-two year old clarinetist caught our attention playing what sounded to me like Benny Goodman. (My folks had many BG 45 rpm records, aka vinyls, which I played until the grooves were smooth and I knew every song.) We were so impressed we looked up Dave Bennett on the Internet and tried to find if he was performing locally. He has a website but performances were not convenient either in location nor date.

And then, last Saturday, Bennett, now just twenty-four, performed with the DSO. And what a performance. Classic Benny Goodman songs with his own twist in a few places. Especially Sing, Sing, Sing, perhaps my favorite, which has a couple drum solos. He had members of the orchestra tapping their feet and slapping their thighs in time with his beat. And the woman singer was a chip off the old block of Peggy Lee or Rosemary Clooney.

I will still try to see where he is performing locally--he's that good.

Season Opener

We went up to the lake last Friday morning to open it for the season. Stopped first in Birch Run for a few items (outlet malls are becoming shopping malls, methinks), then for lunch and return empty printer cartridges for $3 credit OfficeMax in Midland (James' blog about his Kindle book bargain prompted this stop), and finally dropped off a watch for repair at Hick's Jewelers in Clare.

Pouring rain when we arrived so had to postpone visiting Preston, Angie's 3.5 week old newborn son, until later. Unloaded stuff, put a few things away and read for a while. No dead critters--flies, spiders, or otherwise. When the rain stopped we started the pump (did not want to get drenched in the downpour). Off to see Preston, then to Foster's for a few grocery items. Listened to Red Wings on radio that evening before turning in.

Saturday was a work day. Kathy cleaned--dusted, vacuumed, washed and scrubbed--the inside and removed the leavings of a local raccoon. I prepped the Ranger and JD riding mower for the summer. Took a spin on the Ranger to Kelvin's and Lee's but go no answer at either. We then inspected the property on our way back finding many trees down or nearly so--cleaning them up will keep us busy.

Sunday morning we picked up Kelvin and went to Barryton for breakfast. Spent extra time talking and finishing our coffees. After that we packed the SUV and took a leisurely drive home.

We have a busy summer planned for the lake -- a mix of work, play, and relaxation.

A New Author for Me

I just finished People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman. Jim Bade suggested this author if I was interested in native American culture since the main character is Jim Chee, a native American who is a detective with a tribal police force.

The setting in New Mexico, outside major cities, on reservations and in desolate outposts. Chee solves a case of a murdered dying man, a box of rocks that someone is will to pay dearly for its return, and a many-years-old crime.

I found descriptions of culture, including religion, fascinating, fresh and interesting. I've already started a second Chee mystery.